Protect yourself from early onset of dengue

New Delhi [India], Apr. 14 (ANI): Dengue, now a seasonal menace every year in India, has arrived rather early this time.

Cases are already being reported from different parts of Delhi-NCR in March and April itself, months before the monsoons.

The primary reason for this, according to experts, is construction work in different parts of the city and poor upkeep of overhead and curing tanks in residential areas.

According to the WHO, there are about 190 million cases of dengue worldwide with 96 million cases needing treatment. In India too, there is 25% increase each year, mainly attributed to heavier monsoons and ineffective preventive steps to check mosquito breeding.

In this scenario, what can be done? What steps can common citizens take?

Dengue is a tropical disease that originates from four different viruses. Carried by the Aedes egypti mosquito, symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains as well as skin rash. While there is currently no vaccine for dengue, it can be prevented by improving hygiene levels and prevention of mosquito breeding.